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Torah Windows THE LEVITICUS (VA-YIKRA) WINDOW The heavenly cloud which rested over the tabernacle until it was time to move on, is represented by a feathery white and clear glass that makes up the area above the huge circular arc that stretches across the tops of all five of the Torah Windows. Since it represents the presence of God, it also lightens the blue-green, arched borders of each window where it intersects them. [ABOUT CIRCLES IN THE TORAH WINDOWS: The circular arc above which the heavenly cloud hovers is the largest of many circular ideas found throughout the five windows. Only a portion of this circle that represents an infinite God is seen because, as finite beings, we can never begin to comprehend the totality of God. The other circles ranging from the small lenses to the Creation Circles echo the largest circular arc to symbolize that each and every one has been created by God, in God’s image.] The walls of the courtyard that surrounded the Tabernacle were made of scarlet, purple and violet materials. An opening in the walls provided access to the Tabernacle. This entryway is depicted in the window by the subtle, drapery-like edges of the walls. The walls themselves extend beyond the Leviticus (Va-Yikra) Window to become the background color in the other four windows. The background glass in the left side of the installation is violet. On the right side the background is purple. Scarlet is used as the second layer on both sides. The Sanctuary is implied as a square, as it would have appeared to one approaching it from the front. The pure white glass implies the Holy Place in front, while the golden, Dichroic glass behind represents the Holy of Holies where the “flashes” or “bolts” further represent the presence of God. As the physical place where the people can most closely approach God, quietly and free of distractions, the amber band is in its closest proximity to the heavenly cloud in this window. This is also the most tranquil depiction of the amber band which reinforces a quiet feeling of worshipfulness. The light yellow bands with clear lenses that move upwards through the Tabernacle from the amber band symbolize the worshipful, spiritual nature of God’s People. The transparency of these yellow, spiritual bands is in contrast with the opalescence of the amber bands that represent the twelve tribes. The lower area in this window represents the series of seven cycles of seven years that precede the Jubilee Year. The Interstitial years, Sabbatical Years and Jubilee Year are symbolized by amber, yellow and red Dichroic glass respectively. The lenses representing the Interstitial and Sabbatical Years are arranged to also imply the Menorah.
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 click above image for a larger view THE LEVITICUS (VA-YIKRA) WINDOW |
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